# Saudi Ministry of Culture Scholarship: eligible majors, portfolios and how to apply

> The Saudi Ministry of Culture Cultural Scholarship Program for arts, design, film, music and heritage majors: who qualifies, the approved-list rule, portfolios and how to apply.

Program: Cultural Scholarship Program (برنامج الابتعاث الثقافي) · Run by Ministry of Culture
Last updated: 11 September 2026
Canonical: https://www.miftksa.com/scholarships/ministry-of-culture-scholarship

Funding for arts, design, heritage and culture majors that the other programs largely do not cover. The Ministry of Culture decides eligibility; once approved, the scholarship itself is administered through Safeer 2 and the Saudi cultural mission, like any other government scholarship.

**Hardest requirement:** Both your institution and your exact major must be on the Ministry of Culture list. Most of these schools also judge you on a portfolio or audition above everything else.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tracks | Three: new students, pre-accepted students, and self-funded students already studying abroad. | https://engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships |
| Fields | Archaeology, design, museums, music, theatre, filmmaking, literature, languages, libraries, architecture, visual arts and culinary arts, among others. | https://engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships |
| Levels | Bachelor's, master's and PhD. | https://engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships |
| Who decides | The Ministry of Culture decides eligibility. Safeer 2 handles the scholarship afterwards. |  |

## Application window

No fixed annual window is published.

The Ministry of Culture opens applications by announcement rather than on a set calendar, so there is no date we can give you honestly. Check engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships every few weeks and have your portfolio ready before it opens.

Source: https://engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships

## What the scholarship covers

- Tuition and living support, on the same model as other government scholarships.
- Funding for arts and culture majors that the other programs largely will not cover.
- Study at bachelor, master or PhD level.

## It is a good fit if

- Your field is art, design, music, film, theatre, heritage, literature or culinary arts.
- You have creative work to show, or the time to build a portfolio before you apply.
- Your dream school is a specialist arts institution rather than a general university.

## Step by step

### Check the fit

When: Spring, a year ahead (March to May, the year before you go)

1. **Pick your track.** New student, pre-accepted, or self-funded. They have different evidence requirements.
2. **Check your school and major are on the list.** Being at a listed school in an unlisted major does not qualify. Both have to match.

### Build the portfolio

When: Summer, and it takes months (June to September. Give it three months minimum)

1. **Make your portfolio or audition video.** For arts and design schools this outweighs grades. Start six months before you apply.
2. **Get feedback and cut your weakest work.** A portfolio is judged on its weakest piece more than its best.
3. **Write your cultural statement.** Why this discipline, what you want to contribute to Saudi culture, and what you have already made.

### Apply

When: When the MoC window opens (No published date. Check the portal every few weeks)

1. **Apply to the universities on the list.** Portfolio deadlines at art schools often fall earlier than the general application deadline.
2. **Submit on the Ministry of Culture portal.** Portfolio, statement, offers and school shortlist go in together.
3. **Check the deadline has not moved.** The Ministry has extended its window in past cycles and has issued additional rounds of awards. Do not rely on an extension, but do keep checking.

### After approval

When: Following the decision (Within weeks of your decision letter)

1. **Move to Safeer 2 once you are accepted.** Once the Ministry of Culture approves you, the financial guarantee, study commencement and ongoing services run through Safeer 2 and the cultural mission.

## Terms you will meet

- **Portfolio:** A collection of your own creative work, usually 10 to 20 pieces, submitted as a PDF or on a website. For art and design courses this matters more than your grades.
- **Process work:** Sketches, drafts and unfinished experiments. Reviewers deliberately look for these because they show how you think, not just what you can polish.
- **Audition reel:** The performing-arts version of a portfolio: a recorded video of you playing, acting or dancing, to a length the school specifies.
- **Pre-accepted track:** For students who already hold an unconditional offer from an eligible school and major.
- **Self-funded track:** For students already studying abroad and paying their own way, applying to have the scholarship take over.
- **Eligible institution and specialization:** The Ministry publishes a list of approved schools AND a list of approved majors. Both have to match. An approved school with an unapproved major does not qualify.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Cultural Scholarship Program?

Funding for arts, design, heritage and culture majors that the other programs largely do not cover. The Ministry of Culture decides eligibility; once approved, the scholarship itself is administered through Safeer 2 and the Saudi cultural mission, like any other government scholarship.

### What is the hardest requirement for the Ministry of Culture Scholarship?

Both your institution and your exact major must be on the Ministry of Culture list. Most of these schools also judge you on a portfolio or audition above everything else.

### When do Ministry of Culture Scholarship applications open?

No fixed annual window is published. The Ministry of Culture opens applications by announcement rather than on a set calendar, so there is no date we can give you honestly. Check engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships every few weeks and have your portfolio ready before it opens.

### What does the Ministry of Culture Scholarship cover?

Tuition and living support, on the same model as other government scholarships. Funding for arts and culture majors that the other programs largely will not cover. Study at bachelor, master or PhD level.

### Where do you apply for the Ministry of Culture Scholarship?

Through MoC scholarships portal (engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships), run by Ministry of Culture.

### Who is the Ministry of Culture Scholarship a good fit for?

Your field is art, design, music, film, theatre, heritage, literature or culinary arts. You have creative work to show, or the time to build a portfolio before you apply. Your dream school is a specialist arts institution rather than a general university.

## Official sources

- MoC scholarships portal: https://engage.moc.gov.sa/scholarships

_MIFT is an independent planning tool and is not affiliated with the program above. Always confirm eligibility, documents and dates on the official site._